The April 14 alleged demonstrators yesterday filed
a formal bail application before Justice O. Ottaba of the Special Criminal
Court in Banjul.
The alleged demonstrators are Lamin Sonko, Bubacarr Gitteh, Baba Ceesay, Modou Touray, Ebrima Janko Ceesay, Alhagie Fatty, Alhagie Jammeh, Lansana Beyai, Lamin Marong, Lamin Jatta, Lamin Camara, Ebrima Jadama, Pa Ousman Njie, Kekuta Yabo, Bubacarr Jah, Muhammed Jawneh, Bubacarr Touray and Saderr Secka.
They were charged with unlawful assembly, riot, incitement of violence, riotously interfering with vehicles, holding a procession without a permit and disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession.
When the case was called, DPP Barkun appeared for the state while the defence team was led by senior counsel A.A.B. Gaye along with A.N. Bensouda, Hawa Sisay-Sabally, S.M. Tambadou, O.M.M. Njie, Mary A. Samba, Rachel Y. Mendy, Neneh Cham, Musa Bachilly, Abdoulie Sissoho, Yasin Senghore, Hajum Gaye, M. Touray, Sagar Jahateh, and J.B. Sambou.
The DPP then said the matter was for hearing of bail application, and that he had been served with the bail application.
Senior Counsel Gaye said during the last court sittings, the trial judge refused their oral bail application and asked them to come formally, which they did and had filed the bail application and served it on the DPP.
The DPP then said they were in the process of filing an affidavit in opposition, and he applied for a one hour stand down in order to enable him complete his filing process.
Upon resumption, the DPP told the court that he had filed an affidavit in opposition, but said he had not seen the application for the other accused persons.
The defence team then said they had filed the application of those persons too.
The court clerk said they did not receive that, they only received DPP’s affidavit in opposition.
The defence team then gave their copies to the court.
Senior counsel Gaye said he was applying for briefs to be ordered.
He said they needed 24 hours to prepare, file and serve the DPP.
The DPP said he needed three days to file his briefs.
The applicants were given one day to file their briefs and the DPP was given three days to file his, while the applicants would reply on points of law.
The case was adjourned until 2 May 2016, for adoption of briefs.
